Third Beluga Whale Died In A Connecticut Aquarium

(Photo : Getty Images/OLIVIER MORIN)

After being brought to a United States aquarium two years ago, a third beluga from Marineland passed away.

Kharabali's Death

Kharabali, a 9-year-old beluga whale at Mystic Aquarium in Connecticut, has died.

The beluga whale started swimming strangely in November, and the aquarium said that "her strange behavior continued to progress."

Eventually, the aquarium relocated Kharabali to the intensive care unit at the Aquatic Animal Study Center, where she passed away on Monday.

The whale was receiving round-the-clock care from professionals for "multiple health issues" before her passing.

The cause of her death will be ascertained by a necropsy.

"Her spirit touched us all, and we are heartbroken by her passing. Kharabali received the utmost care and love during her time with us, and we will always cherish the moments we shared," said Dr. Allison Tuttle, the chief zoological officer.

Kharabali is the third whale from Niagara Falls, Ontario's Marineland to pass away after being brought to Mystic Aquarium.

August 2021 saw the death of a male beluga named Havok, while February 2022 saw the death of a female beluga named Havana.

The first beluga whale passed away due to a previous medical condition, while the second whale died due to health problems.

In an inspection by the U.S. following Havoc's passing, the Department of Agriculture discovered issues with the treatment of that whale and others. At the time, a spokesman for the aquarium stated that problems found during the inspection were being fixed.

The aquarium reports that Jetta, the third whale, who was ill in 2021, is doing well right now.

"After two brutal losses, her success offered great hope to the team that the worst had passed," the aquarium said.

Animal rights advocates had attempted to stop the whale's transportation, claiming that a permission signed by the National Marine Fisheries Service and the U.S. Commerce secretary failed to sufficiently address the possible harm that the belugas would suffer from their transfer to the Connecticut aquarium.

The whales were born in captivity and were between the ages of 7 and 12 at the time of the trip. According to officials, it is not safe to release them back into the ocean.

Poor Water Quality

The week after the whales moved to the US, Ontario's Animal Welfare Services discovered that all marine mammals at Marineland were in distress due to poor water quality.

Marineland refuted claims made in court filings that its animals were in danger, claiming that they have a "strong record" of providing for the welfare of their animals and will "continue to prioritize their health and wellbeing."

Earlier this year, a press investigation found that since 2019, 13 belugas, a dolphin, and Kiska, the nation's only killer whale, had perished at Marineland.

A whale named Ikora died on October 24, 2019, followed by ten more belugas and a beluga named Bull on November 23, 2021. Twelve of the beluga deaths happened over a two-year period, according to the records.

The government has been investigating Marineland for four years, but details of the investigation, what it is doing at the park, and how the investigation is being conducted are still unknown.